The Bent Musket - Revolution 1, Impact 0: New England steals it late to end 2012 on a high note
For the Fort, By the Fort
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/31882/bentmusket-fave.jpg
2012-10-30T13:05:34-04:00
http://www.thebentmusket.com/rss/stream/3324833
2012-10-30T13:05:34-04:00
2012-10-30T13:05:34-04:00
The Couch Captain: Revs 1, Impact 0
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/u6JawifL6dec7ggkkh5AFxCubIM=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2321171/154839860.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Francois Laplante</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the season finale, Revolution center-back A.J. Soares sent the traveling fans home happy with a late winner. As the Revs head into the offseason, what can this match tell us about the future of the club?</p> <p><span>Jay Heaps</span>' first season as Revolution Head Coach can be described in a multitude of ways, but after watching his club battled to two victories (and clean sheets) in their final two matches, I'll soften the blow and just call this season "eventful".</p>
<p>While I'll have a series of 2012 Couch Captain in Review pieces over the coming weeks, suffice it to say, that at the end of the day, the Revs won four more matches than last season, and improved their Goal Differential by FIFTEEN. It wasn't always pretty or without drama, but the 2012 Revs managed to improve over last season.</p>
<p>Now, to be fair, there was nowhere to go but up for this club, but with all of the moving parts, the new staff, and even the departure of a long-standing captain (I still love you, Shalrie), I felt like things could have gone worse (seriously).</p>
<p>So, let's take a look at Saturday's match, with an eye towards the offseason and 2013!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;"><b>QUESTIONABLE: <span>Clyde Simms</span> (R quadriceps strain)</b></span></p>
<p><b style="line-height: 9px;">DOUBTFUL: <span>Stephen McCarthy</span> (concussive like symptoms), <span>Juan Toja</span> (patella femoral pain)</b></p>
<p><b style="line-height: 9px;">OUT: Flo Lechner (R MCL sprain), <span>Lee Nguyen</span> (R shoulder surgery), <span>Saer Sene</span> (L ACL surgery)</b></p>
<p>Tough to see Stephen McCarthy miss out on the final few tilts of the season, as I felt he truly was one of the best stories of 2012. Juan Toja was also listed as doubtful, and with nothing to play for, I felt like keeping him out was the best course of action.</p>
<p><b>JAY HEAPS LINEUP vs MONTREAL: <span>Bobby Shuttleworth</span>, <span>Kevin Alston</span>, <span>A.J. Soares</span>, <span>Darrius Barnes</span>, <span>Ryan Guy</span>, <span>Chris Tierney</span>, Clyde Simms ©, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110923/benny-feilhaber">Benny Feilhaber</a>, <span>Fernando Cardenas</span>, <span>Diego Fagundez</span>, <span>Jerry Bengtson</span></b></p>
<p>A good, solid lineup for the final match. Was pleased to see that Simms once again made the starting XI, as he had played so well against Chicago. Kevin Alston continued his odyssey out at left back, and it was Chris Tierney seeing the left midfield spot for the first time in a while as a starter.</p>
<p>Love seeing Fagundez getting more and more minutes, as it will really help with his growth and development as he progresses through his late teenage years.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>COACHES' CHALKBOARD AND STYLE OF PLAY</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">First and foremost, the formation. Kyle McCarthy penned it a 4-1-4-1, which is something I truly don't remember seeing too much of. Cardenas and Feilhaber were the center midfielders, with Clyde Simms playing the deep lying CDM role. Fagundez was out wide right, with Tierney out wide left, and Honduran international Jerry Bengtson in a lone striker role up top.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">One of the biggest differences in the latter stages of the season as far as style goes was how the addition of Fagundez changed up the pace of attack. Fagundez is not afraid to take on defenders with the dribble, which in turn cut down the long ball hoofing upfield considerably.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">With Chris Tierney out on the left flank, as well as Alston overlapping, the service was noticeably better on the night. Given the struggles of talisman Jerry Bengtson in a Revs uniform, the more quality service this team gets, the better ALL of the strikers will produce.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">In the midfield, Clyde Simms had a little more room to operate against Montreal, hence why it felt like he wasn't that involved, but in reality he truly was. Benny Feilhaber played a solid game in the center of the park and looked dangerous at times, and as the offseason approaches, I still hope he's in a Revs uniform in March.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Defensively, it was Ryan Guy getting the start at right back which gave the Revs an extremely fast right flank (he partnered with Fagundez) which played to the Revs advantage all night long. It's not the defensive coverage that worries me about Guy, it's times like the one in Philly where he gets out-jumped or out-physicalled due to his lack of size. If Alston is going to stay on the left side, New England need to decide what their course of action is going to be on the right, because I don't think Ryan Guy is the permanent answer.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>SUBSTITUTIONS AND COACHES DECISIONS</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">All three changes from Jay Heaps in this one had a pretty straightforward purpose, which was most likely attributed to what he had available to him:</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b><span>Blair Gavin</span> for Diego Fagundez 64'</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b><span>Kelyn Rowe</span> for Fernando Cardenas 67'</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b><span>Dimitry Imbongo</span> for Jerry Bengtson 81'</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Blair Gavin played very well against Chicago, so I was glad to see (given his injury history recently) the midfielder get minutes in back-to-back matches. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">When Kelyn Rowe came on for Cardenas things looked a little different, with Gavin slotting in centrally, and Rowe manning his usual right flank spot in the formation. This gave the Revs a nice look, with Gavin and Feilhaber pairing in the middle.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Given all of the minutes Bengtson has played this summer and fall all over the world, I was surprised the substitution didn't come earlier. Hopefully, a full offseason, as well as some well-deserved rest, will do wonders for Bengston. Imbongo brought on some fresh legs to trouble the tired Impact back four, and eventually, the Revs found the equalizer.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>FINAL THOUGHTS</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">There's going to be plenty to talk about all winter long when it comes to this team. I'm sure there are going to be a few surprising moves, as well as some moves we see coming. In the coming weeks we will take a look at this team going forward, and also review what we saw over the course of the 2012 season.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">For now, just a couple of points from Saturday:</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Blair Gavin. </b>I'm excited. IF Benny is dealt, Gavin could slot in centrally and do a decent job of fulfilling that role. He looks invigorated, motivated, and most importantly, he looks like he possesses the necessary tools.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Kevin Alston. </b>I think he may stay on the left in 2013. It's not that his play on the right was terrible, it's just that his play on the left was so GOOD. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Diego Fagundez. </b>The teenager might have a much bigger role in 2013 than he did this season. He showed me things down the stretch that displayed some real maturation and progression, and it looks like he could be a key piece in this squad next year.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Jay Heaps. </b>I'm going to talk about this a lot in the offseason. At the very heart of this discussion is that in the face of all that happened to this club in 2012, the results improved. Say all you want about player moves, drama between players and coaches/management, and some of the poor results on the road, the bottom line is the team won four more matches than last year, and improved their GD by 15 goals. This season may have fallen short of the lofty expectations, it was in no way a failure.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/2012/10/30/3576456/couch-captain-revs-vs-impact-mls-2012-season-aj-soares-jay-heaps-saputo-montreal
Matty Jollie
2012-10-27T17:06:04-04:00
2012-10-27T17:06:04-04:00
Revs vs. Impact: New England wins it 1-0
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/F3A1AvMVejr45oATB8dxC5DfADw=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2149631/154839738.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Francois Laplante</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The New England Revolution didn't play a great or entertaining match, but they nonetheless pulled off a gritty 1-0 victory over the Montreal Impact in Canada on Saturday. A.J. Soares scored the match's only goal in the 88th minute.</p> <p>It was rough, it was dirty, it was ugly, but it was a win. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> bunkered in and didn't play particularly well, but they still pulled out a 1-0 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> at Stade Saputo. It was their ninth win of the season - also their first-ever in Canada - and it means that the Revs finish the 2012 season on a two-match winning streak.</p>
<p>The goal came in the 88th minute through <span>A.J. Soares</span>. <span>Ryan Guy</span> smartly earned a foul on the right side of the Impact penalty box. <span>Chris Tierney</span> stepped up to take the kick with his cultured left foot, and his delivery was true, finding the head of Soares at the near post. The second-year defender directed his header to the far post and past <span>Troy Perkins</span> for the lead.</p>
<p>The goal could not have come more against the run of play. Montreal recovered from a stagnant first half to slice and dice through the Revolution defenses, firing off shot after shot and requiring <span>Bobby Shuttleworth</span> to stand on his head just to keep his team in the game. Marco di Vaio was a terror, and the inclusion of <span>Justin Mapp</span> in the 71st minute turned the screws even harder on the visitors as his speedy runs and rocketed shots gave New England fits on the flanks and in the box.</p>
<p>After a totally professional performance last week against Chicago, it was a little troubling to see the Revs regress into a frantic, defensive style with little cohesion and mostly poor ball movement. While a number of players put in good shifts against the Fire, only Shuttleworth and the two center-backs can honestly claim to have played particularly well in this match, and everyone's passing was suspect at best.</p>
<p>The offseason will likely be focused on continuing to build on the core here, with <span>Jay Heaps</span> still looking to put his mark on this team. A full offseason with the club for <span>Jerry Bengtson</span> and <span>Juan Toja</span> should also be very beneficial for both players.</p>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/2012/10/27/3564134/revolution-vs-impact-2012-final-aj-soares-bobby-shuttleworth-justin-mapp-mls-news
Steve Stoehr
2012-10-27T15:16:13-04:00
2012-10-27T15:16:13-04:00
Revs vs. Impact HT: Still Tied 0-0
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gL8XVMCtDQvQEF1NSKd8NGZ3sFo=/0x499:3391x2760/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2144201/150232304.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jim Rogash</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The New England Revolution have made it to halftime still tied at 0-0 with the Montreal Impact in Canada. Both teams have struggled to create real quality chances early on.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> have put a half of soccer in the books without much fanfare as both clubs sit even at 0-0. Chances were scarce for both sides as they struggled to find the final ball necessary for quality opportunities.</p>
<p>Montreal's best chance came in the 18th minute when Marco di Vaio fired off a shot from outside the box that <span>Bobby Shuttleworth</span> saved easily. Three minutes later, di Vaio nearly converted a cross from <span>Jeb Brovsky</span>, but his volley was deflected wide. Though dominant in possession, the Canadian club found it difficult to get good looks in the box or get crosses past Shuttleworth.</p>
<p>The Revs actually put more shots on target, but were just as unsuccessful as the Impact in doing anything particularly dangerous. <span>Fernando Cardenas</span> had a shot from a tight angle saved in the 28th minute after a smooth buildup, and <span>Jerry Bengtson</span> turned <span>Alessandro Nesta</span> in the 43rd minute, but he didn't get all of the ball with his shot and <span>Troy Perkins</span> saved easily.</p>
<p>New England appears to be trying to suffocate the Impact in midfield, packing it with five players and asking their wingers to do a great deal of defensive work. It's stymied most of Montreal's offensive efforts, but it has also resulted in the Revs getting very little of the ball. Even when gaining possession, the Revs appear to have difficulty breaking out of the defensive shell to make plays with it. Bengtson looks fairly lost up top, living in a state of nearly perpetual isolation. </p>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/2012/10/27/3563712/revolution-vs-impact-2012-halftime-marco-di-vaio-jerry-bengtson-mls-scores-news
Steve Stoehr
2012-10-27T13:45:10-04:00
2012-10-27T13:45:10-04:00
Revs vs. Impact: Live Game Thread Part III
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/p73U-eo-VikNJpPUeknilQpj5U4=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2138881/148650928.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Richard Wolowicz</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The New England Revolution are in Canada to take on the Montreal Impact in the 2012 season finale. Join us for our usual live blog, done jointly with the guys from New England Soccer Today.</p> <p>Hey everybody, welcome to our <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> live thread. It's our last one of the year, so get your kicks in now. Neither the revs nor the Impact are in the playoffs this year, but both teams have plenty of pride to play for as coaches evaluate who gets to stick around next year and who's going to be out of a job.</p>
<p>Injuries again affected <span>Jay Heaps</span>' lineup choices, although the return of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110923/benny-feilhaber">Benny Feilhaber</a> from suspension was a boon as he slots right back into the midfield. Per usual, we'll be conducting this live thread jointly with the guys from <a target="_blank" href="http://nesoccertoday.com">New England Soccer Today</a>. Join us below!</p>
<p><u>Lineups</u></p>
<p><b>Revolution:</b> Shuttleworth; Alston, Soares, Barnes, Guy; Tierney, Feilhaber, Simms, Cardenas; Fagundez, Bengtson</p>
<p><i>Bench: Reis, Gavin, Rowe, Nyassi, Brettschneider, Imbongo, Purdie</i></p>
<p><b>Impact:</b> Perkins; Camara, Nesta, Ferrari, Brovsky; Warner, Bernier, Mallace, Arnaud; Wenger, di Vaio</p>
<p><i>Bench: Bush, Iapichino, Valentin, Ubiparipovic, Mapp, Neagle, Sebrango</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="//blyve.com/embed/40148c503e6a317e18020000" frameborder="0" height="550" width="460"></iframe></p>
<div><a target="_blank" style="background: #ffffff; display: block; color: #000000; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline; padding: 5px 0 0 5px;" title="Blyve liveblog liveblogging platform" href="http://www.blyve.com">Powered by Blyve</a></div>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/2012/10/27/3563262/revolution-vs-impact-2012-live-blog-jerry-bengtson-marco-di-vaio-mls-scores-news
Steve Stoehr
2012-10-27T09:16:59-04:00
2012-10-27T09:16:59-04:00
Revs vs. Impact: Preview and Game Notes
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O-t4F2GBnkHpZTLgN_9j2TGpe0o=/5x0:3993x2659/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2125451/150236021.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jim Rogash</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The New England Revolution finish their 2012 season this afternoon against the Montreal Impact in Quebec. The Revs have had no success against the Impact in their inaugural MLS season, currently trailing them 0-2-0 in the season series, with one goal scored and three conceded.</p> <p>Today's match between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> will cap off the regular season for both clubs. It'll be the last chance for anyone to see the Revs as they are now; just as sweeping changes were the order of the day last offseason (and, indeed, this season), we can expect further changes for 2013 as well. At least, we'd better see some changes. Second-to-last in the conference shouldn't indicate to anybody that it's a good time to maintain the status quo.</p>
<p>With a loss, the Revs will see their season series with the Impact totally swept, with an ugly 0-3-0 record against the new club. Honestly, Montreal's had a good expansion year, but they aren't <i>that</i> good. New England needs a result in this match to save some face. Unfortunately, the Revs are also a terrible road team, so the odds aren't in their favor.</p>
<p><b>REVOLUTION INJURY REPORT</b></p>
<p>QUESTIONABLE: <span>Clyde Simms</span> (R Quadriceps Strain)<br> DOUBTFUL: <span>Stephen McCarthy</span> (Concussive-like Symptoms), <span>Juan Toja</span> (Patella Femoral Pain)<br> OUT: <span>Florian Lechner</span> (R MCL Sprain), Lee Nguyen (R Shoulder Surgery), <span>Saer Sene</span> (L ACL Surgery)</p>
<p><b>IMPACT INJURY REPORT</b></p>
<p>OUT: <span>Nelson Rivas</span> (L Knee Surgery), Felipe (Sports Hernia), <span>Bernardo Corradi</span> (L ACL Tear)</p>
<p><b>SUSPENSIONS</b></p>
<p>IMPACT: <span>Sanna Nyassi</span> (Yellow Card Accumulation)</p>
<p><b>TEAM NOTES</b></p>
<ul class="unIndentedList">
<li> Saturday's meeting will be the third-ever meeting between the Revs and the Impact as Montreal holds a 2-0-0 lead in the series that began this season</li>
<li> The Revs are 0-1-0 at Stade Saputo after falling, 2-1, in the inaugural meeting on July 18, 2012</li>
<li> In the second meeting between the clubs on Aug. 18, 2012, Montreal defeated New England, 1-0, in the Impact's first visit to Gillette Stadium</li>
<li> The Revs are 10-11-6 all-time against expansion teams in their inaugural seasons...that record includes two draws with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> in 2006, which was considered an expansion team after relocating from San Jose</li>
<li> Since 2005, New England is 9-6-6 against expansion teams in their inaugural seasons...the Revs went 1-5-0 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a> and Miami Fusion in 1998, just two years after MLS' inaugural season</li>
</ul>
<p><b>PLAYER NOTES</b></p>
<ul class="unIndentedList">
<li> Lee Nguyen is the only Revolution player to score a goal against Montreal...he had the Revs' lone goal against the Impact on July 18</li>
<li> <span>Kelyn Rowe</span> recorded the assist on <span>Lee Nguyen's</span> goal on July 18</li>
<li> In the teams' first meeting on July 18, <span>Darrius Barnes</span> made his first start of 2012, playing center back</li>
<li> <span>Sainey Nyassi</span> made his first appearance of the year in the July 18 match at Saputo Stadium, playing on the field at the same time as his twin brother, Sanna, who scored the game-winning goal for Montreal</li>
<li> <span>Matt Reis</span> has started both games in the series and is 0-2-0 with a 1.50 goals against average and three saves</li>
</ul>
<p><b>BROADCAST INFORMATION:</b> TV: CSN, 2:00 PM EST; RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub, 2:00 PM EST</p>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/2012/10/27/3562500/revolution-vs-impact-2012-match-preview-notes-kelyn-rowe-sanna-nyassi-mls-news
Steve Stoehr
2012-10-26T18:06:56-04:00
2012-10-26T18:06:56-04:00
Revolution vs. Impact: Know Thy Enemy Part III
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/95INEyPx5Jb2dz2rDKfbKyem_Us=/0x629:3391x2890/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2100817/150232304.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jim Rogash</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>With the New England Revolution set to end their 2012 season against the Montreal Impact in the Great White North, we caught up with Sofiane Benzaza of Mount Royal Soccer to discuss the l'Impact's first season in MLS and what to expect in Quebec.</p> <p>The 2012 season ends on Saturday afternoon as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> at Stade Saputo in Quebec. The Revs are riding high after delivering a win to the fans in their home finale last weekend, while Montreal played to a 0-0 stalemate with Toronto on the same day. Both clubs are out of playoff contention.</p>
<p>With the real emotional push likely behind them after last weekend's win, New England become more and more likely to come into this match feeling a little lackluster. A troublesome season full of upheaval and disappointment is finally drawing to a close, and some of these players might just be excited to see a light at the end of the tunnel with the offseason coming up. That said, it <i>is</i> the final match of the season, and with nothing to play for - but nothing to lose - there's a chance that these two teams will instead combine to create some real fireworks.</p>
<p>Today's Q&A is with Sofiane Benzaza of Mount Royal Soccer, <a href="http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com" target="_blank">SB Nation's Montreal Impact blog</a>. You can check out our last two Know Thy Enemy features with Impact bloggers <a href="http://www.thebentmusket.com/2012/8/10/3232156/revolution-vs-impact-2012-jerry-bengtson-benny-feilhaber-alessandro-nesta-mls-previews-news" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.thebentmusket.com/2012/7/17/3165496/revolution-vs-impact-2012-saer-sene-felipe-davy-arnaud-mls-preview" target="_blank">here</a>. Both of those were done with Giovanni Sardo, who writes with Sofiane.</p>
<p><b>TBM: Well, the Impact's first season in MLS is over. How'd it go?</b></p>
<p>SB: It was a roller coaster of results, style of play and expectations. As the pre-season went along and throughout the season, different checkpoints were passed by the club, the media and most importantly the fans.</p>
<p>The discovery of long travel routes, odd unbalanced schedules and referring standards was a learning experience for some players and to many fans. Many of those factors were already known in advance but living it, seeing it, covering it was a different story.</p>
<p>As a whole, the season was a success. The club managed to attract fans at Stade Saputo after some adjustments. The team on the field adjusted its style of play in mid-season and became a unit in every sector (plus trades).</p>
<p><b>TBM: </b><b>When the season began, did you expect to have a realistic chance at the playoffs like Montreal did this year? I know the Impact seem a ways out now, but there was a point late in the season where it wasn't altogether implausible to see them nick the fifth spot.</b></p>
<p><i>SB: </i><i>My expectation levels had a strong correlation with the team's performance, especially with the great 5-game winning streak in the middle of the summer. The expectation of the team, the fans and the media (not everyone but hope was there) also followed the good form of the team. From expectation ZERO in pre-season to HIGH expectations in the middle of summer, hope was there.</i></p>
<p><i>I will give credit to <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/giosardo">Giovanni Sardo</a> for saying that the team will be fighting for a playoff spot until the end; and the Montreal Impact did. I was looking more for a 2-year plan to be in a playoff race throughout the season but some players performing exceptionally well changed the game.</i></p>
<p><b>TBM: </b><b>Who do you think was the best performer for the Impact this season?</b></p>
<p><i>SB: </i><i>I sincerely hesitate between <span>Patrice Bernier</span>, <span>Felipe Martins</span> and <span>Matteo Ferrari</span>. I am giving an edge to both midfielders and might be lame by going for a co-best performer act with Felipe and Patrice. I will give the individual edge to Felipe Martins who has been the key in the offensive sector of the team since the switch to the 4-2-3-1. His individual talent and ability to create offense was key to the turnaround in midseason. As a 22-year old, the Brazilian midfielder still has room for improvement.</i></p>
<p><b>TBM: How do you avoid a sophomore slump a la the Timbers in 2013? Do you think this team is on the right track heading into next season?</b></p>
<p><i>SB: </i><i>As soon as I saw John Spencer get the boot, I did not really make a parallel between both teams but the comparison could have been done. Both the Timbers' and the Impact's ownership have high expectations soccer wise with a high-level of investment in money to get talent.</i></p>
<p><i>Year 2 is coming up for the Montreal Impact and with this season's results and current/future player signings, the expectations from ownership and management can only be quite high. </i></p>
<p><i>KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR NEXT SEASON<b> </b></i></p>
<ul class="unIndentedList">
<li> <i><u>Start the season well:</u></i><i>Do not go 1-4 in the first 5 games of the season. Most current playoff teams had decent to good starts in their season</i>
</li>
<li> <i><u>Familiarity:</u></i><i>Players that came in later in the year (<span>Marco Di Vaio</span>, <span>Alessandro Nesta</span> for e.g.) already went through half a season plus they will have more rest between the end of the season and the training camp.</i>
</li>
<li> <i><u>A more</u></i><i><u>injury-free defensive squad:</u></i><i>With so many injuries at the back, the depth of CB was very interesting for the Impact but it caught up to them eventually. Outside the numbers game, the consistency and the chemistry between players is very important.</i><i></i>
</li>
<li> <i>Keep the same winning attitude and the strong character of the team</i>
</li>
</ul>
<p><i>I believe in the short-term and long-term project and objectives of the team. As long as management, ownership and the technical staff are in line (most of the time) in the vision, there should be no problem. At the end, only results will matter but that comes with consistency and a clear plan.</i></p>
<p><b>TBM: Finally, let's have your projected starting XI and a scoreline prediction.</b></p>
<p><i>SB: </i><i>Perkins - Camara , Nesta , Ferrari , Brovsky - Arnaud , Warner, Bernier, Nyassi - Di Vaio , Wenger</i></p>
<p><i>Stade Saputo has been a fortress for the team and I do predict a win so let`s go for a 3-1 win.</i></p>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/2012/10/26/3560760/revolution-vs-impact-2012-preview-questions-matteo-ferrari-felipe-mls-news
Steve Stoehr